I iRRARY OF CONGRESS 

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LOTOS 



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a (SranO Spectacle anO 5aomanttt JFatrs Srama, 

IN FOUR ACTS & SIXTEEN TABLEAUX. 



WRITTEN AND AERANQED EXPRESSLY FOE 

NIBLO'S GAEDEN, NEW YOBK, 1872. 



Entered according to Act of Congress j hy Jarrett & Palmer, 
of Niblo's Garden, New York, September , 1872. 



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€fiavatUv^ in JFixM ^tU 

PLUTUS {God of Marmmn) 

ELECTRA {Ariel a-la-mode) 

SATANELLA {the Beautiful Fiend) 
SNOWFLAKE {the Guardian Spirit) ... 
PRINCE LEO {a Hero of Bomance) 
THE ASTRONOMER-ROYAL 

THE POET LAUREATE 

THE GRAND HEREDITARY MUDDLE 

PRINCESS LOTOS-LEAF 

BABETTE {Daughter of Huherlu) 

FlDEhlO {the pet Page of Leo) 

HUBERLU {retired Sorcerer) ... 

GOBO {Groom to Leo) 

/KING JEWEL {a precious Potentate) ... 
QUEEN JEWEL (a very large Stone) 
DULCET {the Jewel Herald) 

Suzanne, Mar got, Berthe, Marotte, Jacqueline {Sisters to Bahette) ; 
Puffy Opera Box, Cascadette, Carte d' Or, Les Courses {Spirits) ; 
Aurororce of the North, Bullion Fiends, Infernal Small Change, 
Huntsmen, Boyal Bicyclist Grooms, Jewel Cruards, Jeioel Courtiers 

and Ijadies, 



©laAHID BAILiSalg'^ ©F 3:swsx»s. 



OVERTURE. 

ACT L 

Scene First {set). — The Halls of Mammon. 

Plutus in Council^ surrounded by his Gold Fiends, 
Sprites, c&c. ; picture to open Scene ; All bowed towards 
the enthroned Plutus, and to break up on last bars of 
CkortLS. 

[TAKE IN No. 1.] 



Plutus. We greet ye, minions of Mammon ! On the 
Five thousandth Annual Congress of our Ministers and People, 
it is satisfactory to find that the world still worships the Calf 
of Gold with undiminished fervor. (Imp presents scroll em- 
blazoned in red) Yes — we see that to-day the potentates of 
earth have presented their customary homage. Our worship 
is more universal than ever. Even war ends now in a money 
claim. Honour is salved by our ministration, and Mammon — 
Mammon — Mammon — is men's one end and aim. 

Imp. All hail, great Plutus! but may it please you, one 
prince has failed this day to pay his homage. 

Omnes. Ah! 

Plutus. Who is the recreant? {looking down scroll) 

Imp. Leo, Prince of Gaul. 

Plutus. {furious) How now ! Is our power to fail through 
the incapacity of our minions? Was not his education en- 
trusted to cabinet-ministers devoted to our service ? 

Imp. True, Plutus, the Astronomer-Royal, the Poet 
Laureate, the Grand Hereditary Muddle, were deputed to 
bring him up in your faith I 



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Plutus. And they have failed ? 
Imp. It would so seem. 

Plutus. Let them be called ! Let the imbeciles be called ! 
{Mime — a phrase of the opening chorus in orchestra only — 

all the performers on the stage are to he moved here quickly 

into entirely new picture) 

Enter simultaneously ^ preceded by Sprites, r. u. e., the 
Astronomer-Royal, the Laureate, and the Grand 
Hereditary Muddle — they advance and bow ^o Plutus — 
Music stops ^ with chord ff. 

So miscreants, ye have failed in your duties ? 

The Three. Alas ! {wig business)* 

Plutus. Explain how it is I do not number your young 
Prince among my vassals ? 

AsTRON. We cannot tell. I have cast his horoscope so 
subtly that nobody, including myself, could make it out ; and 
yet it has thrown no light upon the subject. I have consulted 
the stars — yes, even after dinner, in order to see a greater 
number — and that too is profitless. I pass. 

Plutus. And you, Hereditary Grand Muddle, diplomatist 
and statesman, what have you done ? 

Muddle. All. I have reared his youthful mind on Congress 
reports. I have provided him Erie statistics to soothe his 
leisure hours. I have given him the city records to imbue 
him with a desire to become one of your votaries. In vain. 
Mining shares, U.S. bonds, even the resumption of specie 
payments next century, and a verbatim account of the Geneva 
Arbitration have failed to interest my unhappy Prince. I 
pass, {wig business) 

Plutus. And you, O Poet Laureate, have your music and 
verses failed to produce their effect ? 

Laur. Wonderful to relate, they have. Cunningly did I 
manoeuvre in your service, Plutus. 1 even got up a Jubilee, 
and pretended it was for Art, when it was only for Mammon. 
But it didn't pay, and the Prince did laugh me to scorn. I pass. 

* The Hekeditaky Grand Muddle has a large fluffy white 
wig, practicable, on scalp, and the Laukeate has a perfectly bare 
scalp without hair at all. The business, through the piece, is, for 
the Muddle in moments of vexation, to pull a handful of hair out 
of his wig, and throw it on the stage. The Laureate carefully 
picks up each lock, and on his next appearance, you find he has 
put the lock on his own skull. This goes on regularly, till in the 
last scene, the Grand Muddle has become perfectly bald, and the 
Laureate has a fine white wig. Or it may be simplified by the 
Laureate keeping all the locks till last act, and then appearing 
in the wig. 



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Plutus. Imbeciles ! Idiots ! Incapables ! 

The Threk. Your majesty appears to refer to me. 

Plutus. Not even fit to be secretaries of state. What do 
they merit ? {to his Court) 

Omnes. Death ! [gong — the Three hneel) 

Plutus. No ; under my reign I have a worse punishment 
than that. Let them be made bankrupts ! 

The Three. Spare us, great king ! 

Plutus. On one condition. If I find that some occult 
reason, unknown to men, has interfered with my schemes and 
your obedience — {calling) Come hither, my faithful sprite, my 
flashing fiend — Electra! {flash of lightning — a violin rush in 
the orchestra terminating with chord tutti and cymbals) 

Electra arises c. of stage by trap — the three Ministers rise. 

Picture, 

Elect. {saltUing with hands over head) Hail, master ! 

Plutus. Prompt spirit, whither from ? 

Elect. Everywhere. 

Plutus. Your answer is precise. Know, Electra, that we 
are in a difficulty ? We have been debating 

Elect. Pardon, sire, I am posted. 

Plutus. How ? 

Elect. As the spirit of Telegraphy, I am cognisant of 
everything, and perhaps you are not aware that a report of 
this meeting is being wired to the " New York Herald." 

Omnes. Ha ! Treachery ! 

Plutus. No matter, useless to war with that paper. We 
must submit, or they will send down Stanley. 

Elect. You wish to know the power that disputes empire 
with you in the mind of Prince Leo? 

Plutus. Rightly conjectured. 

Elect. Nothing more easy. 

Plutus. {to three Ministers) Listen, idiots. You hear- 
nothing more easy. 

AsTRON. {desperately) Oh ! of course not, if you put it in 
that way. I always knew the prince was fond of yachting. 

Elect, {laughing) No, no ! Quite idi-yacht-ic ! 

Muddle. Of course not — it was billiards. 

Elect. Wrong again, {wig business) 

Laur. Certainly he is wrong. The Prince's soul is wrapped 
up in theatricals — ballet, {spins round and stops on one leg) 

Elect. Nonsense ! 

Plutus. And besides, incompetent minions, don't you 
see that Mammon lurks in all these pursuits. No, not such is 
my foe. What is it, Electra, that thus baffles my power ? 

Elect. Listen! 

[TAKE IN No. 2.] 



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Satanel. Sire, you called me. 

Plutus. 1 did, oh, splendid liend. A horrid rumour breaks 
our peace — a direful news is like lo thwart our power, and 
bring thee, too, into contempt of mortals, {loith solemnity) 
They do say, oh Satanella, that on earth a woman loves, and 
purely ! 

Satanel. Never! 

Plutus. So said I, but they bring proof of their news. 

Satanel. Fear not, sire. It cannot be. I reign over 
boudoir and ball room, and I know it cannot be. 

AsTRON. {aside) A woman's thoughts about women. 

Muddle, {aside) And of course charitable. 

{Music — during next speech the chorus of No, 2 is repeated 
ppp, in orchestra as in a melodrame) 

Satanel. True, there was an old legend that, when thy 
power and mine, Plutus, were greatest, there should be 
born a Princess, who in the midst of flattery and pride and 
circumstance, should love purely and be loved in return by a 
Prince as child-like as herself. And it was foretold that their 
high ensample should revive the dead worship of true love, 
and paralyse the power of Mammon. But i watched my 
time. The Princess was born — but she was not reared in 
palaces. I took her, and in the peasant's hut where I placed 
her, little fear, Plutus, that the fabled Prince will ever track 
her or find her. {music stops) 

Plutus. Hername? 

Satanel. Lotos-leaf. 

Omnes. Ah I 

Elect. Did I deceive you, master ? 

Plutus. Then is the prophecy fulfilled. 

Satanel. Fulfilled? 

Plutus. Aye ! for the fabled Prince has tracked her and 
has found her ! {chord and general exclamation) What is to be 
done? Astronomony indicates nought. 

AsTRON. Nothing! Correct, {first looJcing through theodo- 
lite, up) 

Plutus. Diplomacy is worse than useless. 

Muddle. (hurnMy) It always has been, {wig business) 

Plutus. And as for Poetry— pah ! 

Laur. My own sentiments exactly. 

Plutus. Therefore, {to Satanella) beautiful fiend, thine be 
the task to corrupt the young Prince. This baneful thing, 
this pure love, must be put a stop to promptly. 

Satanel. It shall be done ! Behold my fascinations, my 
reductions! {beckoning her nymphs) Essence of Paris, of 
Berlin, of Vienna, epitomised for the use of youth. Here's 
for my Prince — opera box, races ; for my Princess— the 



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fashions, and the cosmetic ; for both, the delirium of wine and 
revelry, {each in turn pirouettes and salaams) Reign undis- 
turbed in thy royal despotism, Plutus, for money shall yet 
rule Love ! 

AsTRON. (aside) 1 shouldn't mind going in for a course of 
temptation myself, {theodolites them) . 

{Picture forms for Jinale, Plutus rising from throne)* 

[TAKE IN No. 3.1 



Scene Second.— {Cloth in lst)—Snowflake's Cool Grot, 

Enter Snowflake. 

Snow, {looking at her watch) Eight o'clock in the morning, 
and my snow nymphs not returned from earth yet- This is 
too ridiculous. That stupid old sun has got past his work. 
Time was, that he exhaled all my snow-spirits up again to 
their native skies, long before I had come down to breakfast. 
{light pizzicato music pp , in orchestra) Ah! a la bonne heure! 

The Snow-Spirits com£ vjhirling in n. and l.^ form picture , and 
salute all very quickly. 

Well, young people, better late than never; but let me tell 
you, that all well-conducted Auroras of the North, Snowflakes, 
and other young persons of the upper circles, are expected to 
keep better hours ! 

Omnp:s. Oh, but we've been so busy ! 

Snow, {smiling) Indeed ! 

1st Spirit. Yes, there has been a run on iced drinks lately. 

2nd Spirit. I have been doing the cool in certain political 
affairs. 

3rd Spirit. I have been helping to get up a sham Wenham 
Lake Ice Company, in London. 

4th Spirit. And I have been cooling catawba-cup for 
King Plutus. 

Snow. Ah! what news from Mammon- Ville ? 

4th Spirit. Oh ! a terrible fuss over some recreant Prince, 
who has been rash enough to renounce allegiance to King 
Plutus, and fall in love. 

Omnes. Ha, ha! the idea! 

Snow. I can well understand, his Majesty doesn't relish that 
much. 

4th Spirit, Not at all : so Satanella 

* For picture to close in, no dance, but a tableau expressive of 
homage to King Plutus. 



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morning when I w-as taking up the Prince's shaving-water, I 
heard him say to his page Fidelio (I don't like pages. What 
do princes want with pages? Why can't they be satisfied 
with an attendant like me ?) I heard him say, " Fidelio," he 
said with a sigh, {imitating) just like that — " Fidelio, I love a 
peasant girl. *^ Who is she ? " says the page — like his impu- 
dence. " I don't know," says the Prince, " but she lives at 
the foot of the Sorcerer's Cliff." You might have knocked 
me down with a feather, for that's where Babette lives, and 
considering that Babette is engaged to me, you can fancy 
what my feelings must be. I upset the hot water over the 
page, and haven't been myself since; no more has he. Let 
me reflect ! (business) If I could only see some of the girls. 
(Babette and Sisters, offy sing together a *'Tralala" 
refrain^ lohich they keep up till they are on) 
There they come from the wood ! Now to know the truth. 

Enter, L., the Sisters, dancing and singing, except Babette. 

Omnes. here's a man ! 

{they go furiously embracing GoBO — business) 

Enter Babette, running, Ij,— she pulls them away. 

Babet. Respect private property, will you ? 

Omnes. Oh, selfish thing. 

Babet. My Gobo ! 

GoBO. My Babette ! {they embrace) Then you are faithful 
still? 

Babet. What do you mean? 

GoBO. You wouldn't go flirting with princes, would you, eh ? 

Babet. Like a shot! 

Omnes. {clapping) So would I ! 

Gobo. Despair. Let me reflect, {business) 

Babet. But there aren't any princes to flirt with. (Jiornsoff) 

Gobo. {groaning) He's coming, that's clear, 

Babet. Who? 

Gobo. Mv master ; Prince Leo. 

Omnes. how nice ! 

Gobo. {piteously) Oh, is it, though! When a poor fellow 
like me sets his youthful affections on you, and then a Prince 
comes along, and says, *' I like your girl ; I guess I'll spark 
her myself." 

Babet. Did he say that ? 

Gobo. He did. Iniquitous — wasn't it ? 

Babet. Well, it may be iniquitous, and it may not ; but my 
mind's made up ; don't seek to disturb the maiden's mind that's 
made up. I'll go for the Prince myself. 

Omnes. And so will 1 1 



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GoBO. Ah, you wouldn't feel easy with him, 1 tell you. 
He's accustomed to silks and satins, and high-heeled boots, 
and chignons and waterfalls, and other luxuries. 

Babet. Oh, these come naturally, don't they, girls ? 

Omnes. Certainly ! 

[TAKE IN No. 5.] 

{during refrain the GiRLS walk mincingly round GoBO, who 
stands, C, horror-struck) 

GOBO. Well, I am ashamed of you. I don't believe poor 
little Lotos-Leaf would behave so, homeless wanderer though 
she is. And by-the-bye, where is she ? 

Babet. Where she should be — doing our work. 

Omnes. Ha, ha, ha! 

Babet. Yes, she's cutting faggots in the wood, and we girls 
go and gather flowers, which is less trouble. 

GoBO. It's no affair of mine, so long as you are true to one 
who — {horns off) dear, dear ! the Prince is coming ! 

Omnes. Is he! How is my back hair? {duett for cornets — 
hunting refrain kept up till all are on) 

Enter Huntsmen, Astronomer-Royal, Grand Muddle and 
Laureate, rapidly, r. — then Prince Leo followed by 
FiDELio, to whom he hands gun—follow immediately next 
number. 

[TAKE IN No. 6.] 

Leo. Ah, Gobo, straggler: we thought we had lost you. 
What sport — how many head of game ? 

GoBO. The royal hunt has not been unproductive, {lets cat 
out of bag) Behold ! (All laugh) 

Leo. But, my lords and friends, it was not sport alone led 
me here to-day. Guess, my counsellors, what it was ? 

Astron. Let me consult the stars, {looks through theodolite — 
Gobo quietly puts up drinking flask in front) Lunch. I see it 
distinctly. 

Muddle. To confer with me on politics. 

Laur. To hear me recite my new poem, beginning : 
" Of man's first disobedience, and the seed 

Of that forbidden fruit, whose mortal taste " 

Shall I continue ? 

Omnes. {forcibly) No, no! 

Leo. {laughing) Wrong — every one of you. {to Page) Tell 
them, Fidelio, of our adventure the other day and its result. 

Fidel, {after bowing) A week ago, the Prince, attended by 
myself, rode through a solitary bridle-path in yonder forest 



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On a sudden he stopped, and on following his glance, we saw 
a young woman 

Leo. An angel, {clasping hands) 

Fidel, {hurt) Your pardon, prince, a young woman. 

Leo. No, a spirit, not of this earth. 

Fidel. Well, but angels don't carry faggots. 

Leo. On this occasion one did. 

Fidel. She was not very short, {all the sisters get on tiptoe) 
nor yet very tall {they all cower down) She had a very pretty 
smile, {they all grin diabolically) and in fact was a very nice- 
looking girl. 

The Sisters, {coughing conceitedly) H'm ! 

Leo. Profanity ! Let me finish. She was a perfect being, 
an epitome of sweet perfection, and in a word — I love her ! 

Omnes. Ah ! 

AsTRON. {aside to Laureate) That is our secret enemy. 

GoBO. {aside) My brain is in a whirl, let me reflect, (business) 

Babet. {aside) I do remember being in the woods about 
then. 

Muddle. Permit me, my gracious Prince, did you confide 
the fact of your sudden impression to the damsel — the — the — 
in fact the faggot-gathering angel ? 

Leo. No ; {sadly) she vanished. I saw her no more. 

Laur. ) 

Muddle. v {delighted) Hurrah ! 

ASTRON. ) 

Leo. What? 

AsTRON. She had returned to her native skies. Hence our 

joy- 

Leo. Native fiddlesticks. I am certain she lives in this 



neighbourhood, and as there are not many houses, why 

Babet. {curtseying) There is only ours, please your 
mightiness. 

Leo. Ha ! A pretty girl. 

GoBO. {wildly) No, no. Never ! 

Babet. Get along with you, sir. {to Gobo — turning him 
behind her) 

Leo. But not my angel. 

{all the Sisters laugh ; Babette retires, huffed) 

Gobo. No, she's not an angel. I told you you wouldn't do, 
Babette. 

Other Sisters, {curtseying) Please, your highness, we're 
the other inhabitants; we're not very short, and we're not 
very tall, we have a pretty smile, and we gather faggots, {the 
Prince surveys them, and the Astronomer theodolites them — 
business) 

Leo. No, you are very nice girls, but not she I seek, {they 
retire abashed) Are there no other girls about ? 



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GrOBO. None, these sisters are the lot. They live in yonder 
cottage. 
Leo. Then must it have been a vision ? 
Muddle. Of course — an apparition, {aside to others) It's all 
right. 

Leo. Therefore, gentlemen, to the hunt again ! 
Omnes. Bravo! 

Leo. {aside— advancing a pace) I will return alone. Doubt- 
less the crowd has scared her. {aloud) Gobo, to your post ! 
Fidelio, my gun, and now, to the forest I 

{reprise of the chorus only of the hunting song, which is 
repeated till all are off— the Prince and his following, R., 
and Babette and Sisters into cottage by door) 

As soon as all are off, enter Lotos-Leaf timidly, l., carrying a 
large bundle of thorn sticks — she comes cautiously, c, and de- 
posits her bundle. 

Lotos. I thought I heard hunting horns— no one? So 
much the better, because old Huberlu doesn't like visitors; 
and when any come and annoy him, he expresses his sense of 
injury by beating me. I don't quite understand anything 
about it except the beating. That, I understand perfectly. 
Then his daughters say I ought to gather their faggots for 
them, and if I don't, they beat me too. They are a very 
able-bodied family. I sometimes think, after being beaten by 
Huberlu, because some one's toot-tooing on a horn in his 
vicinity, and after being jointly and severally beaten by his 
six daughters because I can't do all their work at once, I 
sometimes think life is a little monotonous. But I like night — 
for then I dream, oh ! such dreams — of handsome princes who 
come and politely carry home my faggots for me, and then, 
and then, I awake and find I am only poor little Lotos-Leaf 
whom nobody owns ! 

[TAKE IN No. 7.] 

Enter Leo, r., on last bar — he starts on seeing her. 

Leo. {aside) Oh ! my heart was right. 

Lotos, {picking up sticks) Now, I'd better get in, or old 
Huberlu will beat me. Ah, when will that handsome young 
Prince I dream of come and help me to carry my faggots ? 

Leo. {advancing and taking sticks) He is here ! {quickly) 
Don't scream. 

Lotos. Please, sir, I wasn't going to. 

Leo. {putting faggots off at wing) Quite self-possessed. 
{returning) So you are not very surprised, eh ? 

Lotos. No ; I have been dreaming about you some time. 

Leo. And do dreams always come true ? 



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Lotos. If you remember them. 

Leo. And you didn't forget me then ? 

Lotos. Oh, no ! 

[TAKE IN NO. 8.] 

Leo. Do you think you could care for me ? 

Lotos. If you didn't beat me much. 

Leo. Beat you ! 

Lotos. I shouldn't mind it now and then, of course. 

Leo. My dear ! by the way, what's your name ? 

Lotos. Lotos-Leaf. 

Leo, Well, my dear Lotos-Leaf, to cut matters short, I am 
awfully infatuated with you, and I want to marry you. 

Lotos. Then why don't you ? 

Leo. {delighted) Why don't I ? Now, there's charming 
simplicity for you ! But you dear little rustic, you, I must 
ask your pa and your ma. 

Lotos. Haven't got any pa or ma to speak of. 

Leo. What about old what's-his-name ? 

Lotos. Huberlu? 

Leo. Exactly. Tooraloo. 

Lotos. Oh ! he's not my father. He's a very wicked old 
sorcerer. 

Leo. Then, the sooner you're away the better. Come I be 
my princess, and we will be married at once. Your trousseau 
will be ordered this day, and we'll spend our honeymoon at 
the court of my friend the Jewel King. What do you say ? 

Lotos. Oh, I am too happy to say anything I 

Leo. Then let us sing it I 

Enter Fidelio quickly, R. 

Fidel. We await your highness ! {aside) The angel of the 
faggots ! 

[TAKE IN No. 8J.] 

Eoceunt r., Leo, Lotos-Leaf, and Fwelio— stage dark— 
thunder and lightning. 

Enter Huberlu in his sorcerer'* s disguise, L. — he comes on 

frailly, 

Huber. Aye — aye — aye — Age is beginning to tell on me. 
So I said to myself this morning, don't forget you were a 
sorcerer in your time, and know charms and specifics against 
old age. And I've been into the ravine, and have got some 
simples — a nice toad, and a newt, and a spotted snake, and 
other condiments— and I'll brew 



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Enter Satanella, suddenly, R. 

Satanel. You're an old fool, and no conjuror. 

HuBER. {awed) Hail, Satanella ! 

Satanel. When twenty years ago, you said you wished to 
retire from our active service, and marry and perpetuate your 
imbecile race, we granted your request. 

HuBER. You did, Queen. 

Satanel. But we told you that we might require your 
services again. So 1 brought you a child of Fate — Lotos - 
Leaf— and charged you by all that could awe you or control 
you, to watch over her safety, that never more should she 
leave the forest. 

HuBER. You did. 

Satanel. And how have you discharged your trust ? 

HuBER. You shall see. {calling) Lotos-Leaf, Lotos-Leaf! 
{pause) Hither, you baggage, will you! Lotos -Leaf! 

Satanel. You may spare your lungs. She is gone. 

HuBER. Gone? 

Satanel. Yes, with Prince Leo, — predestined to win her, 
and yet who would not — had I but chosen tools sharper 
than thee. 

HuBER. What shall I do, great Satanella ? 

Satanel. Find her. 

HuBER. In this attire ? 

Satanel. {touching him with her wand) No ; you must seek 
her in palaces ; be thyself a King. (Huberlu's disguise goes, 
and he comes out as a grey-heard King, Lights up) Be thine 
the task to separate Leo and Lotos-Leaf. So long as they 
are together 1 am powerless, and must call in mortal aid. 
Once separated, I will take care they shall never meet more. 

Huber. But my travelling state, my retinue ? 

Satanel. True. You have daughters ? 

Huber. Six. 

Satanel. Call them. 

Huber. Babette, Marotte, Berthe, Jacqueline ; Ho ! all of 
you. 

{the six little windows open simultaneously, and the six 
Sisters put out ilieir heads, still adorned with their 
peasants'* caps) 

Satanel. {waving her wand) Change ! {all the six caps dis- 
appear, giving place to hoys' wigs) 

Sisters. Oh, oh ! 

{they shut windows simultaneously — put on pages^ caps, and 
immediately troop out of door, and form in semi-circle 
round Huberlu, as pages) 

Huber. My daughters ! 

Satanel. Your pages henceforth. 



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Babet. What will Gobo say ! 

HuBER. But where are the Prince and Princess gone? 
{during preceding speeches^ Electra has been worked up 
trapf C, and appears behind, just in time to take up cm) 

Elect. To the Court of the Jewel King. 
Satanel. Then follow, and find them. 

[TAKE IN No. 9.] 

Exeunt Satanella, r.— Huberlu and Pages, l. and 
Electra by trap, all together, — change. 

Scene Fourth. — Set of all; Palace of the Jewel King ; throne 
and side chairs, L. 2 E. 

[TAKE IN No. 9J.] 

March— Enter the Jewel Court, Guards, &c.; lastly, the 
Queen of Jewels — she seats herself on throne — march stops. 

Queen. My faithful subjects ! to-day, the anniversary of 
my wedding with the King of Jewels, is again arrived. He is 
at present out, but will not fail to be of our merriment, {horns 
of) Ha! What is that? Strangers?* 

Enter Dulcet, r. u. e. 

[TAKE IN No. 10.] 

Enter Leo during Chorus, conducting Lotos-Leaf, and 
followed by Fidelio and Gobo, and the three Ministers— 
Chorus stops as they arrive opposite throne. 

Leo. Most gracious Queen, let me present to you my bride, 
the Princess Lotos-Leaf. 

Queen, {rising and embracing Lotos-Leaf) Fair Princess ! 
I haVe read about your remarkable history in the papers. Be 
happy ! 

Lotos. Madam, you overwhelm me ! 

Queen. My husband is out driving somewhere, but I expect 
him every minute. 

Leo. No excuses, I beg ; you of yourself are quite enough. 

* The opening recitative of next number is to be sung all out of 
tune and time by a grotesque herald of the Jewel Court. At the con- 
clusion, bouquets are to be thrown to him from four entrances (off), 
amid cries of ** Encore .' " He collects bouquets, bows profoundly, 
and begins recitative again ; breaks down, and rushes off. The 
orchestra then pass straight to full chorus, and entrance of 
Prince Leo. 



r\ 



17 

GoBO. (aside) I should think she was. 

AsTRON, (aside, to Laureate) If Satanella means to do any- 
thing she'd better be quick about it. 

Muddle, (aside) This will bring down my grey hairs in 
sorrow, (wig business) 

Laur. (picking it up) Sufficient for the day is the peruke 
thereof, (trumpet call off) 

Omnes. Hal 

Enter Dulcet, announcing. 

Dulcet. The King of the Source of the Nile and suite. 
Queen. Admit him. Exit Courtier. 

Source of the Nile ! 
Leo. \ 

AsTRON ( ^^^^^^ 0^ ^^® Nile! (separately, in different tones 
J ' ( expressing perplexity) 

Muddle, j 

Omnes. (together) This is mysterious. 

Enter, rapidly, r.u.e., Huberlu as King, followed by his six 
daughters as pages; they advance, c, and salaam to Queen 
together ; Leo and Lotos at Jewel Queen's side. 

HuBER. Being in your vicinity, great Queen, it was my 
duty and my pleasure, as a brother potentate, to present 
myself before you. 
Queen. I am delighted to see you. 

HuBER. (aside) They are here, (aloud) Of course my 
name and title are well known to you ? 
Queen. 
Leo. 

GoBO. I Certainly! (exactly in same tones as ^^ Source 

Astron. ( of the Nile'') 

Laur. 
Muddle. 
Omnes. Oh, certainly ! 

HUKBR. (to Leo) Prince, I knew your father, and let me 
congratulate his son on such a beautiful bride. 
Lotos, (curtseying) Oh, sire. 

Leo. Shall we promenade ? (aside) Don't like the look of 
that fellow! 

(gives arm ^o:^-Lotos-Leaf — they go slowly up stage — 
business — the Queen waves Fidelio to her, he goes 
unwillingly — she takes his arm — they go up — meanwhile 
GoBO has been eyeing Babette with evident astonishment 
— the Pages now go up arm-in-arm, two by two, Babette 
last — as she is passing GoBO he arrests her attention) 



/ 



18 

GoBO. Eh! — what— never— Bab 

Babet. Fellow! 

GoBO. I beg your pardon. 

Babet. Ha, ha, ha! {goes up) 

GOEO. {scratching plume) Let me reflect, {goes up reflecting — 
almost simultaneously Huberlu has crossed to three Ministers 
and laid his finger on lip) 

Huber. ] 

ASTRON. ! „. ^ 

Laur. f ^^^^ • 

Muddle. J 

Huber. The word ! 

AsTRON. I will letter or halve it with you. 

Huber. Sat— 

AsTRON. An — 

Laur. Ell— 

Muddle. A! 

(All vnnh simultaneously — slap right hand on closed mouth, 
then clap hands together — turn round on left leg, crack 
fingers and strike attitude) 

Huber. 'Tis deeply sworn ! 

Enter Dulcet, announcing^ R. u. e. 

Dulcet. The Jewel King ! 

Omnes. Ah ! {next number quick— picture for entrance) 

[TAKE IN No. 11.] 

Enter Jewel Guards — then Jewel Ejng on velocipede with 
Outriders, &c. —gets down, embraces his Queen, and salutes 
his Visitors— ^^e velocipede wheels off, all to the mmic of 
chorus, and rapidly. 

Omnes. Long live the Jewel King ! 

King. Nonsense, nonsense, my good friends ; your senti- 
ments do you more credit than your wisdom. How can a 
potentate of my dimensions live long f {to Leo) And so you 
are about to perpetrate matrimony, prince ? 

Leo. This be my excuse, {pointing to Lotos-Leaf) 

King. Avery charming one. {looking at Lotos-Leaf through 
eye-glass) What do you weigh, my dear? 

Lotos. I — I — really don't know, your majesty. 

King. Ah ! that's a pity. I like a fine woman. My wife is a 
fine woman. What do you think of her, Leo ? 

Leo. Seldom have I seen so much beauty — all at once ! 

King. Right. Eh, my poppet, {tries to kiss her and fails) 

Queen, {confused) Don't, I am but a feeble woman, {to 
Lotos-Leaf) Won't you come, my dear, and select your own 
rooms, for you'll stay with us I hope some time. 



^ 



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19 

Lotos. With pleasure. 

Goes up with Queen, followed hy Fidelio, and exit, L. u. E. 

HuBER. (aside) Now for it. {pantomimic business for him and 
three Ministers exactly as before) 

Leo. {who has gone up and blown kisses off-— returning) Ah, 
how graceful she looks as she disappears from sight. 

King. That's one advantage my wife possesses over other 
women — she never disappears from sight. 

HuBER. She is indeed a splendid figure. 

King. Sir, one figure couldn't express her. Ah ! when one 
meets a woman like that, matrimony is a beautiful institu- 
tion 

GoBO. To keep clear of. 

King. Eh? 

Leo. Silence, Gobo ! 

Babet. {forgetting herself) Oh you wretch! 

GoBO. What! eh? Bab 

Babet. {remembering) Fellow! 

Gobo. I beg your pardon, sir. {scratching head) Let me 
reflect. 

Leo. My poet laureate has always tried to dissuade me 
from love. 

King. Has he? 

Laur. {advancing) On the contrary— my verses recommend 
to all lovers the example of the butterfly, which woos every 
flower but is constant to none. 

Leo. Isn't that a dreadful sentiment. 

King. It's well the ladies are gone, {pokes Leo in ribs) 

Laur. {producing micsic) I have a little song here on the 
subject. 

King, {tahingit) Ourself shall try it. 

Omnes. Bravo! 

[TAKE IN No. 12.] 

{During the chorus, a dancing movement without stirring 
from places) 

Enter Dulcet, l. u. e. 

Dulcet. May it please your Majesty, the guards of the 
household await your Majesty's pleasure. 

King. Let them enter. Exit Trumpeter, l. u. e. 

{to Leo) a little parade I offer you. Will you be seated, 
Prince, {to Huberlu) Brother, this way. 

{they take their places at side.) 

[GRAND BALLET.] 

{Ballet over — Queen shrieks off, then rushes on, followed by 
Fidelio — picture of astonishment — the Qtjeen faints, and 



\N 20 

is recovered by King — meamvliile^ Fidelio comes down, 
C. front, and principals close round in semi-circular lines 
for dialogue — all to he done simidtaneously, and rapidly) 

Leo. What's wrong ? Speak ! Where is the Princess 
Lotos-Leaf? 

Fidel. Gone. 

Omnes. Gone? 

Leo. But where ? Speak — speak ! 

Fidel. Alas, I know not. 

Queen. She vanished from my side as if by magic, and 
much I fear she is in the power of some wicked fairy. 

HuBER. {aside) Satanella ! 

Leo. If it be so, then I have a counter-charm. My god- 
mother, Snowflake, promised at my baptism that she would 
guard me against the Evil Eye, and against every spell. What 
I never sought for myself, I now invoke for my lost love. 

[TAKE IN No. 13.] 

The Fairy Snowflake appears on last bars — picture to receive 

her. 

Snow. Fear nothing, O Prince, for you will recover her 
you love, although the arts of my rival, Satanella, will prevail 
for the moment. Many dangers Lotos-Leaf will pass through, 
^ and many lands must you visit in your search ; but love on, 
^trust on, and you will conquer in the end. [a white Dove rises 
from stage and wings up to flies) Lo ! the sign and emblem of 
the first spell cast on her you love. Seek Lotos-Leaf in the 
far kingdom of the birds ! 

Electra has risen up through trap close to Huberlu. 

Elect, {aside to Huberlu) To Japan ! where lies the way 
to the bird land. They must be stopped there ! 

King. Courage ! Prince, {aside — shaking his hand) I'll go 
with you, but don't tell my wife ! 

Leo. Lotos-Leaf! my Lotos-Leaf. 

[TAKE IN No. 14.] 

{final picture on last movement of finale — Satanella 
appears at back in dragon chariot with Lotos-Leaf 
suppliant at her feet— hEO tries to go to her but is held 
back by Huberlu awe? Pages — Electra, r., as Spirit of 
Mischief— SNOWFLAKE, l. c. — the rest in groups pointing 
to Satanella — curtain, slow) 



END OF THE FIRST ACT. 



-V 



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©S^itatter^ in S^cuntu act 

THE TYCOON {Huberlu) 

HIS SIX PAGES {Bahette and Sisters) 
LEO {travelling as Oriental Prince) 
THE ASTRONOMER-ROYAL 

THE POET LAUREATE 

THE HEREDITARY GRAND MUDDLE 

SATANELLA 

SNOWFLAKE {in disguise mantle) 
ELECTRA 

FIDELIO 

GOBO , 

KLVG JEWEL 

EMPEROR EAGLE 

LOTOS-LEAF {as the Lone Dove) 

Japanese Crowd — amongst whom four Bastinado Men and Palan- 
quin Bearers. The Empire of Birds. Court of the Bird 

Emperor. 



^ia&HB ^wsmwB BMMMi:. 



f" 



ACT II. 

Scene First. — The Fateful Cliffs of the Enchanted Valley^ 
Japan. — lights down. 

Mysterious Storm Music to raise curtain ; Stage discovered 
empty ; rain and vnnd. Enter ^ rapidly^ to the music, under 
umbrellas, R.U.E., the Astronomer, Laureate a/ic? Muddle ; 
they bear carpet bags and other travelling gear. 

Muddle, When Prince Leo announced his intention of 
travelling to Japan, I did not anticipate that his Cabinet was 
to accompany him ; much less that his ministers of state were 
to act as agents in advance. Where are we ? 

Astron. (theodoliti^ing) Can't say ; no stars visible — and if 
there were they would be foreigners and I couldn't understand 
them, {rain and wind) Ugh ! pleasant weather, [wig business) 

Laur. I have just composed a poem on it. {producing paper 
(md reading) 

" The day is cold, and dark, and dreary, 

It rains, and the wind is never weary ; 

Yet the vine still clings to the mouldering wall — 

Though at every gust the dead leaves fall." 

And the day, my friends, is pretty considerably dark and 
dreary. 

iflie Astronomer and Muddle are much affected, and bury 
their heads, r. and L., in handher chiefs) 
Astron. ) ^.t • at ? 

Muddle, f^^^^^'^' No more ! 

Laur. {eagerly) Listen ! Next verse shows that something 
must turn up. 

{jneanwhile Electra has been worked quietly up trap 
behind Laureate — she leans on his shoulder, and takes 
up cue quickly) 

Elect. My dear Laureate, something has turned up. 
Omnes. Electra! {chord ff.) 
Elect. So don't read any more of your verses. 
Laur. {aside) Just my luck. 1 never get beyond the first 
stanza. 



^ 



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23 



Elect. I bear great news. 

Muddle. If you'd bear great coats, it would be to the 
purpose. 

AsTRON. The humidity is excessive. 

Elect. You are right, {waving arm) Geni! a little less 
rain, please, and reserve your darkness for your victims. 
{lights up — ivind ceases) 

The Three Ministers. That is much better. 

Elect, {to Geni) Thanks, Geni. {to Ministers, bringing 
them down) Gentlemen, your travels are over ! 

The Three. Ojoy! Likewise, O rapture ! {sung) 

Elect. You are surprised ? 

Muddle. Hem ! O dear, no ! I always thought my diplo- 
matic talents would bring the affair through. 

Elect. Nonsense. The same power that directs all states- 
manship has been your best help here. 

Muddle. And that is ? 

Elect. Chance ! 

Muddle. I don't remember any statesman of that name. 

Elect. Very likely not. But Chance has led you and the 
Prince hither — to the dread valley of the Fateful Cliffs. Against 
the life of Leo and Lotos-Leaf we are powerless ; neither 
Satanella nor myself can work them that harm. But Chance 
has led the Prince into an enchanter's land — one of our most 
powerful geni — who has the charm of life and death. He 
V^ will end this romantic Prince, and so cut the knot of your 
r^i perplexities. Leo is doomed ! 

AsTRON. So his horoscope said. I couldn't make out 
exactly what it meant when I cast it, but I now see plainly 
what it referred to. 

Laur. {with emotion) Perhaps it would be a comfort for the 
Prince to know that I will write an elegy on him. I have 
lust thought of a little trifle beginning — " Not a drum was 
heard, not a funeral note." 

Elect. That'll do. 

Laur. {bitterly) As usual ! 

Elect. The Prince is at hand ! 

AsTRON. Within a few minutes of us, his avant-couriers. 

Elect. Then away! Lest you too be involved in his 
destruction. 

Muddle. by all means ; let's be off. 

AsTRON. But whither ? 

Elect. To the City of the Daimios. There Satanella 
awaits intelligence. Huberlu also. You will rejoice them 
greatly, and add to your own importance. 

Muddle. I will prepare a state paper upon it. 

Elect, {laughing) And give all the credit to the wrong 



r 



^ 24 

people! Now farewell. I go to report progress to Plutus. 

Trap music — Eleotra sinks— for a moment the three 
Ministers stand perplexed by trap, when a terrific roll 
of thunder makes them start — lightning, wind and rain, 
and Storm Music as before — business of opening umbrellas 
and comic eooit L. 2 E. — lights doion from Electra's exit — 
the wind a>nd rain kept up softly all through scene till 
end^ with occasional roll of distant thunder. 

Enter R. 2 E. Snowflake disguised as old peasant with rough 
pole, and apparently guiding on Leo, Fidelio, Gobo and 
Jewe]. King, who enter all in strip fugitive dresses; 
Orchestra goes straight on with symphony of next number. 



[TAKE IN No. 15.] 

King. Well, Prince, if I had thought this love chase of 
yours would have led us into such a place as this, I think I 
would have stayed at home, {with emotion) Ah! my wife 
should have been a law unto me. 

Gobo. Law? Yes, the statutes at large! 

Leo. Silence, knave] My dear King, we must be near 
somewhere; besides our faithful ministers are sure to clear 
the way for us. Are we on the trail ? 

Fidel, {picking up paper) Yes, here is a MS. poem by the 
Laureate. Shall I read it ? 

Omnes. No, no ! 

Leo. Ah, Lotos-Leaf, where art thou ? 

Gobo. Ah, Babette ! 

King, {to Leo, aside) Do you think our guide is all right, eh? 

Leo. {aside to him) Y\\ see. {to Snowflake) Old man, we 
have trusted you to guide us to the City of the Daimios, and 
methinks this is a strange way to it. Where are we ? 

Snow. In the enchanted valley of an evil Geni, whose thunders 
even now threaten you ! 

Gobo. Oh dear, oh dear ! I want to go home. 

Leo. And you lead us into this peril ? 

Snow, It was willed so by fate, {strain of duett, First Act) 
You love this Princess, truly then ? 

Leo. Ah ! 1 can love her memory even ; then how much 
more her living, breathing self — if such there be ! 

Snow, (c.) Then, fear nothing — for here, as in the deepest 
pit of the nether world, love rules and reigns without a rival 
power. Even here the Geni must bow before pure love. 

{Music stops — demon lavghter off) 



^ 



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< 25 

Omnes. Ah ! 

Leo. That demon laughter — thy warning words — this 
gloomy solitude, what means it all ? 
Deep Voice, {off) Death ! 

{Music increases — thunder and lightning — three distinct 
crashes in orchestra — at the thirds a general exclamation 
of horror — the cliffs fall forward — change — Music stops 
suddenly) 

Scene Second. — Market Place in the City of the Daimiosy 
Japan — lights up. 

White lime-lights on stage, which is discovered empty, except the 
principals of end of last Scene, now in rich dresses; Leo 
recognises Snowflake. 

Leo. My kind fairy ! 

Snow. Love on, hope on. 

Leo. But where are we ? 

Snow. In the City of the Daimios ; and see the populace 
come, {symphony of next number pp. in orchestra) I must away. 
Beware of false friends — and on to the Empire of the Birds. 
Farewell ! * Exit, l. 1 e. 

GoBO. 0, what a funny lot of people ! {looking off, r.) 

Enter from upper entrances, R. and L., the Japanese Populace, 

, singing next Chorus, during this they parade stage vnthfruit- 

\^ baskets, fish, birds, feathers for sale, dc, and on final bars 

^ * group under umbrellas, and at stalls, &c., the principals 

standing watching them, L. 1 E. 



[TAKE IN No. 16.] 

Upon last bars of Chorus, enter in palanquin Huberlu as 
Tycoon, surrounded by Babette and Sisters, as Japanese 
Pages — they come, c. — Huberlu descends, and the palanquin 
and bearers go up and remain in picture at back — all the 
Japanese Populace prostrate themselves on stage as the 
Tycoon descends, then rise and form new semi-circular 
tableau — all this in the music — dialogue to proceed the moment 
the music stops, 

Huber. We, the Tycoon of Japan — {chord) cousin of the 
moon-— {chord) and uncle of the sun — {chord) having heard that 
strangers had dared to penetrate to our capital, demand of 
them their designations, and their business. 

Leo. Great luminary, I am Prince Leo of Gaul, travelling 



,^ 



^ 26 

with these my friends and escort, in search of my lost bride, 
the Princess Lotos-Leaf. 

King. And I, King Jewel, have left my wife, to assist my 
friend in finding his, 

GoBO. And I, Gobo, seeing no prospect of ever getting back 
to Babette, am also looking for an eligible girl. 

Bab. {forgetting herself) Wretch! [hits him over the head loith 
her fan) 

Gobo. Oh ! {from that time looks astonished at Babette) 

HuBER. Welcome, noble strangers ! And where may the 
Princess be? 

Leo. In the Empire of the Birds. 

HuBER. Ah ! in the domains of the plumed Emperor, a 
neighbouring potentate. Between ourselves rather a volatile 
monarch — very flighty. 

Leo. {uneasy) But you don't think eh ? 

HuBER. No, no, no — 'Tis a long way from here. Prince, and 
your retinue is small ! 

King. Alas ! our poor Laureate {handkerchief) 

Fidel. That dear Astronomer ! {handkerchief) 

Gobo. My own Muddle ! {handkerchief) 

Leo. Lost — devoted servants — {handkerchief) 

HuBER. Dear me ! this is very sad. But we will try to make 
it up to you. {aside) I must detain him for Satanella. {aloud) 
You will stay with us a week or two. — You need repose — and 
the way is perilous. 
^ Leo. Your luminary is indeed kind. 

"^ ' Fidel, {aside to Leo) Remember Snowflake's advice — trust 
no stranger. 

Leo. {aside to him) Ha, I had forgotten! {aloud to Huberlu) 
My faithful page reminds me that our duty points onward. 
No, luminary, 1 must decline your hospitality. 

Huber. {aside) Confusion I {aloud) At least you will eat 
and drink with me? Lo, my palace! {pointing off, R.) Come, 
all is prepared. 

Gobo. Certainly — we accept ! 

Leo. Silence, sirrah ! Luminary, I am at your service ! 

[TAKE IN No. 17.] 

On last bars the palanquin is brought down, but Huberlu 
motions it away — they take it off, R. 2 E. — Huberlu gives 
hand to Leo, the others form in twos, and the Royal 
Procession goes off to music, R., except GoBO and 
Babette, who remain looking at each other — business — 
simultaneously the Populace /or77z and go off, L., singing 
— stage clear for Gobo and Babette — they break up and 
come C, front. 



^ 



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^ 



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27 

GoBO. (aside) He reminds me amazingly of Babette. 

Babet. (aside) There's that poor dear Gobo, and I mustn't 
tell him ! 

Gobo. (aside) Should like to embrace him for Babette. 

Babet. (aside) for one good hug ! 

Gobo. H'm! 

BaBET. H'm I Why don't you go in with the rest ? 

Gobo. Why don't you? 

Babet. (pretending to sob) Because my love is far away ! 

Gobo. (overcome) So is mine ! 

Babet. Eating is out of the question. 

Gobo. Sympathy is what / want. 

Babet. Poor young man ! 

Gobo. Dear boy ! (they embrace) 

Babet. (aside) I feel better ! 

Gobo. (aside) Now that's very odd. First of all T meet a 
page in the Jewel Court, and I think it is Babette ; now I 
come across a Jap, and, lo ! I think it is Babette again. Let 
me reflect, (business) Can't make it out. (suddenly) Let's 
sympathize again. 

Babet. Come on ! (they embrace) And now luncheon. 

Gobo. Well, I feel like eating now. 

They exeunt, R. — Music in orchestra, " See the Conquering 
Hero comes y 

Enter abreast, L. u. E., arm in arm, and lifting legs pompously, 

Laureate, Astronomer, and Muddle — they come down, 

and music stops. 

Astron. (theodolitizing) This is the place. From solar 
observation, I perceive we are near Satanella and Huberlu. 

Muddle. This time we can hold our own. What news for 
her! (producing roll) Here is an abstract for the archives of 
Plutus of our labours. I will read it her. 

Laur. No you won't, (producing paper) On such occasions 
the Muse of Poetry steps in. I have composed an epic of one 
thousand three hundred cantos on the subject. Hem! I 
begin thus — 

Hope, for a season, bade the world farewell. 
And Freedom shrieked when young Prince Leo fell — 
At least she would have shrieked, had not the Laureate 
Remarked there wasn't anything to be sorry at. 
Shall I continue ? 

The Others, (vehementhj) No, no ! 

Astron. For my part, I think your written addresses are 
cold and formal. Now I was thinking, that if I give a little off- 
hand speech, alluding to the clever way in which I managed 
the expedition, (they commence to wrangle, L. 1 E., speaking 
together m an undertone) 



^-H 



t' 



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28 

Laur. V Well, I can't see that. My poem— -I insist on it 

Muddle. | She must hear my stale papers. Excuse me, 

; gentlemen, but 

AsTRON. I Yes, my view is correct — no use arguing — I 

; shall do it. {this is kept up) 

Enter Satanella followed hy Huberlu, r., — she is angry and 
speaks coming on, 

Satanel. Am I never to triumph? Those idiots of ministers 
first, then you. If, as you say, you cannot retain Leo here, 
follow him to the Empire of Birds. Away! 

Huberlu salaams and exit, R. 
{she comes down — the Ministers turn as she speaks next 
sentence) So you are here ? 
The Three. Satanella! {chord) 

{they all get on their knees, hacks to public, and salute, 
Oriental fashion, hy touching stage with forehead) 
The Three, {raising heads) We have come for our reward I 
Satanel. And you shall have it. {waves wand off ) 
The Three. Thanks, great Satanella ! 
Satanel. I know my service is nearest your hearts. 
The Three. It is ! On our souls be it. {they how again) 

Enter two Japanese with long hamhoo, and two more with canes* 

Satanel. It shall be on your soles I 

{motions ^o Attend ant — the tioo Bamboo Me^ runtheir pole 
under the insteps of the three, and raise soles in air — the 
rest cane them unmercifully, while the Ministers roar 
for mercy) 
Satanel. Enough ! {the Japanese go off, r.) Eemember niy 
arm is long, and I am not to be trifled with ! Exit, L. 

(the three, with a groan, roll over on their hacks, and lie c. of 
stage — First Chorus of Scene repeated to hring on all the 
crowd as before — then Pages, then Huberlu, Leo, 
G-OBO, and Fidelio) 
GoBO. {tripping against Ministers) Hallo! three gentlemen 
rooming out ! 

HuBER. Dogs ! Throw them into the river ! 

{the Ministers sit up hack to hack with alacrity) 
The Three. No ! no ! 
Leo. What! my ministers! 
Omnes. Ah! 

Leo. How come you in this plight ? But I see, faithful 
friends, it is in my service you have suffered, 
AsTRON. Yes, indeed ! 



^ 



29 

HuBER. I can see you are foot-sore ! 

Laur. Oh, we are ! 

GoBO. You have come through a deal of cane ? 

Muddle Yes, that we have. 

Leo. Well, rise— and rejoice with me. We are now on the 
confines of the Bird Kingdom. Lotos-leaf shall be mine ! 

HuBER. {aside) Perhaps ! {the three rise and limp) 

The Three, {aside) Vengeance on Lotos-leaf! {wig business) 

Fidel, {to Gobo) These fellows are traitors. 

GoBO. Of course ; but it don't signify. 

Huber. Then Prince, if you are bent on this expedition, I 
will go too. 

King. You are a good fellow. Tycoon! 

Babet. {aside) Oh ! is he — voiss verrez, mon petit ton homme ! 
{picture for finale) 

[TAKE IN No. 18.] 

Scene Third.— ^ Suburb of Twitterville, capital of the Bird 
Empire ; cloth in 1st; tropical wood scene, with all kinds of 
gaily plumaged birds painted among the foliage. 

Characteristic Music to express each class of comic birds, and 
enter the Court of the Bird Emperor, R. and L., separately ; 
the Owls with spectacles, and bearing MSS. rolls under their 
wings; the Storks with halberds; the Crows as parsons, 
with white bands ; the Parrots with Congress tickets on them 
{^^Congressman from Indiana,'''' <^c."); when all are on and 
in picture, enter Emperor Eagle, attended by Cock Robin 
as Court Barber, and Jenny Wren as Mistress of the Robes ; 
''^Hail Columbia'''' to bring Eagle on; he is thoughtful, and 
rubs his beak reflectively. 

Eagle. Attendant fowls, and dear poultry, I am fain to 
consult with you to-day respecting myself. You must have 
observed a change in me lately? 

Omnes. We have, great Eagle. 

Eagle. Yes ; it is patent to every one. 

Jenny. It struck me the other day your Majesty was 
moulting. 

Eagle. So I am, dear Miss Wren. 

Robin. When I dressed your Majesty's hair this morning, 
it struck me that the imperial head was even balder than 
usual. 

Eagle. It is; I fear I must take to night-caps. Now, 
what is it that thus disturbs me, and disarranges my system ? 
{to Crows) My dear parsons, can you give me any notion ? 



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30 

1st Crow. It is because your Majesty hasn't been regular 
to meeting lately. 

Eagle {to Owls) And you, philosophers, what do you say ? 

1st Owl. The decrees of philosophy must not lightly be 
spoken. Therefore we must entreat your Majesty to allow us 
at least one century for deliberation. 

Eagle. It is reasonable, {to Parrots) Well, gentlemen of 
Congress, what is the matter with your Eagle ? 

1st Parrot. Guess he ain't very sick after all? The air 
of France ain't good for your Majesty, but here out West 
you'll spread yourself, sure. 

Eagle, {smiling and shaJcing head) Ah! my good friends, 
my malady is not a political nor yet a physical one. It is 
mental, it is here — {heating heart) beneath these quills. Yes, 
subject poultry, your Emperor loves ! 

Omnes. {flapping wings and whistling) Never ! 

Eagle. Yes — it is true. My old enjoyments pall upon 
my taste. To descend upon the sportive lamb and raise him 
up for dinner, deHghts me no more. 

All. {affected) Alas ! 

Eagle. I used to revel in spread-eagleism in patriotic 
speeches. That, likewise, is played out. 

All. Dear me. 

Eagle. I was a flaunting fowl formerly, but I am now of a 
reflective and morbid tendency. I am thinking of devoting 
the remainder of life to improving my mind, and living in 
Boston. 

All. No, no. 

Eagle. You see my love is unrequited. That's the trouble. 

1st Crow. But who is the haughty bird? 

(Rooster crows off) 

Eagle. My herald ! Who comes ! 

Enter Rooster, r. — he crows. 

Rooster. The White Dove craves an audience of the great 
Eagle. 

Eagle, {aside) 'Tis she I {aloud) Let her hop in ! 

Rooster crows and exits, r. 
The beautiful stranger Dove that has come amongst us. 

Jenny. She gives herself airs. 

1st Stork. Won't speak even to the upper classes. 

1st Crow. This damsel is a snare. 

Eagle. Hold your tongues, all of you, or I'll peck you. 

Music — symphony of next number — enter Lotos-Leaf, as the 
White Dove — she is pensive, pays no heed to anyone, and comes 
c. for her song, 

[TAKE IN No. 19.] 



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1 



Eagle, {aside to Court) Noble poultry, take yourselves off. 
We would be alone. 

Exeunt all, R. and L., except Lotos-Leaf and Eagle — 
Eagle comes down and tries to embrace her — she 
repulses him. 

Lotos. No liberties, you ugly wretch, you ! 

Eagle. My dear Dove — you the type of gentleness ! Now, 
had you been a young Eagle, or even one of my cousins the 
Vultures, I could have understood it ; but you, a Dove— it is 
dreadful ! 

Lotos. I'm not a Dove! I never wanted to be one: although 
I did sing at school, '' I would I were a bird." But then I 
didn't know what a horrid existence it is. 

Eagle, {shocked) My dear ! 

Lotos. Feathers are a mistake, and then to have to peck 
your food, and keep dabbing one's nose against the viands ; 
not to mention sleeping on a branch at night, with one leg up, 
and my head under my left arm. It really is most uncom- 
fortable ! {crosses) 

Eagle, {aside) Poor young Dove, {tapping forehead) Always 
imagining she's somebody else, {aloud — bringing her, c.) Come, 
come, my dear, listen to me. 

Lotos. Well! 

Eagle, {tenderly) Have you never remarked anything 
peculiar about me ? 

Lotos. Yes. 

Eagle, {overjoyed) Ah! 

Lotos. That you were the ugliest brute I ever saw out of a 
menagerie. 

Eagle. You joke ! 

Lotos. O, dear, no. Quite serious. 

Eagle. And yet I love you. 

Lotos, (c.) Eidiculous! 

Eagle, (kneeling l. c. of Lotos.) Yes ! hear my suit. The 
Eagle Monarch is feeble before you ! 

Enter Kooster, r. — he looks astonished, and stops when about 

to crow, 

I would not have my subjects know my weakness. And yet 
I love you madly — I adore you — I — {sees Rooster) Hallo ! 
{gets up rapidly) D— n it, sir, why didn't you crow ? (Rooster 
crows energetically) What is it now, eh ? 

Rooster. The Tycoon, your Majesty, and suite. 

Eagle. Show 'em in. (Rooster crosses and exits, R.) At 
such a moment too ! Annoying ! 

Lotos. Oh, please may I stay and see the strangers ? 

Eagle. Certainly not. Retire to your perch. 



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32 

Lotos, {going slowly^ l.) Can it be real — or is it a dream? 
Did my Leo really live? And if so, has he forgotten me ! I 
am so unhappy. Exits l. 

Eagle. The Tycoon! What does he want, I wonder ? I 
dont like these featherless bipeds ; but I suppose one must be 
civil, even to the lower orders of creatures. 

Enter Babette and Pages and range, Hubeelu leading 
Leo, and followed by GoBO, Fidelio, arid Three Ministers 
— Picture. 

Huber. Great Eagle, our brother, Prince Leo, of Gaul, 
having lost his Princess Lotos-Leaf, believes her to be in your 
dominions. I have in vain reasoned against this foolish belief. 
On your kingly word, the Princess is she here or no ? 

Eagle. I have no such person in all my realm. 

Leo. say not so. I know she is ! 

Eagle. Has she wings ? (Leo shakes head) Does she peck ? 
Can she hop ? No I well, she is not here. 

The three Ministers. Of course she's not. 

Leo. {to Fidelio) Who am I to believe, Fidelio ? 

Fidel. Snowflake! 

Leo. Right, and she it was who told me my love was here. 

Eagle. Well, you have the run of my dominions: go, seek 
every dwelling, if that alone will satisfy you. 

Leo. thanks, noble fowl ! Come, Gobo. 

GoBO. O I daresay. Are you aware, my Prince, where 
we'd have to go ? Up trees, out branches, into nests, no, I 
don't quite see that. I think we'll take the Emperor's word 
for it. 

Leo. Are your subjects then all birds ? {sounds of next 
number off) 

Eagle. All. And as I'm a monarch, here is a little wedding 
party coming. Search for your princsss, if you like among 
their ranks. 

Procession Music. — Enter Canary Bird Marriage Pro- 
cession, R., — business — they exeunt. 

Eagle. Well? 

Leo. {sobbing) Alas ! I fear I have lost her ! 

Eagle. Come — come, don't give way like that I {lowering 
his voice) I know how you must feel, for I have been unfor- 
tunate in love myself. 

Leo. (interested) Indeed. 

Eagle. Hush! speak low ; love is weakness, and we kings 
mustn't confess to it. Yes, Prince, I love 

Leo. Who? 

Eagle. A Dove. 

Leo. {interested) A Dove? {strain of duett, First Act) 



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33 

Eagle. Yes, a White Dove ; she came lately to my kingdom, 
and we naturalized her quick, so as to vote at the next 
election. 

Leo. And she returns your love ? 

Eagle. No. But then she is mad. 

Leo. Mad? 

Eagle. Yes ; imagines herself a biped without feathers — a 
mere mortal like yourself. 

Leo. Ha! 

Eagle. Says she has been enchanted. That she was a 
princess — mere lunacy in fact. Ha ! ha ! 

Leo. {aside) A princess, {aloud) Emperor, I think I can 
cure this silly Dove. 

Eagle. You can ? Then you shall, {calling) Ho, guards ! 

Leo. {stopping him) No, no ! not before all those people ! 
{aside) If it should be she ? {Music stops) 

Eagle. Ah! you are right, {to Others) I would speak 
vrith my brother of Gaul an instant. Affairs of state. 

Huber. {aside) I don't like the look of things. 

Fidel, {aside) Can he have found anything out ? 

Babet. I don't fancy this foreign land business. 

GoBO. Then let us go and sympathize with each other, 

AsTRON. {to two Ministers) Let us watch ! 

[TAKE IN No. 20.] 

Exeunt all, r., leaving Eagle and Leo. 
Eagle. And now to fetch her ! Exit, l. 

Leo. {rapturously) Oh ! if it should be her I love ! Keep 
still my heart : she comes ! 

Enter Eagle Emperor, l., leading on Lotos- Leaf, who keeps 
her eyes down, and never perceives Leo.* 

Leo. {aside) Tis she ! 

Eagle. I have brought you, White Dove, a stranger, who 
knows such maladies as yours, and will cure you of your silly 
fancies, {incredulity of Lotos) Listen to him. {to Leo) Put 
forth your power. 

[TAKE IN No. 2L] 

{during Dv^tt, Lot OS- Leaf awakes to the consciousness that 
it is Leo who sings, and expresses her joy and love for 
him; all which the Eagle Emperor Relieves intended 
for him) 

* Leo. Eagle. Lotos-Leat, 

L. 



r- 



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34 

Eagle. Marvellous ! This is indeed a change. You are 
happier now, Dove ? 

Lotos. Ever so much ! 

Leo. But the cure is not complete. 

Eagle. No! 

Leo. One spell must yet be removed — and for that I must 
be left alone with her. 

Eagle. Certainly, dear Prince. Adieu, dear Dove, but not 
for long, (going l.) I will go, and in the exuberance of my joy, 
catch a few lambs for luncheon. Goes off, l. 

Leo. Lotos-Leaf! 

Lotos. My Prince ! {they embrace — the heads of three Minis- 
ters appear at r. wing) 

Leo. Not a moment is to be lost — you must fly! 

Lotos. That I can do literally. 

Leo. Fear not ! The moment you leave the Empire of Birds 
you will be restored to your proper shape. We must not go 
together, — 'twould excite suspicion and be fatal; therefore 
we must be yet apart, but for a little moment. Wait for me 
by the Grove of Palms, on the Argent river. Then love and 
happiness shall be ours. 

Reprise of last ensemble of Duett — and exit Lotos-Leaf, 
R., Leo blows hisses, then exit, l., all in the m>usic—the 
mom,ent he is off, lights down — and enter Astronomer, 
Laureate and Muddle. 

Astron. Confusion. 

Laur. All is lost now — Ah, for ever, my 

Muddle, {interrupting) Plutus will cashier us, 
Omnes. What is to be done ? 

Gong — Satanella appears — lime-light on her,'R, c,,in vampyre 
in cloth — picture, 

Satanel. (giving cross-bow to Muddle) Lotos-Leaf must 
not escape — shoot her. 

Muddle. What! kill her? 

Satanel. No — that is impossible — but it will change the 
spell, and her form, and so again she will slip from the grasp 
of her lover. 

Astron. There is no other means ? (trembles) 

Laur. No way but that ? 

Satanel. None, and let it be done quickly. See ! she 
plumes herself for flight. Be warned, and for the last time ! 
Gong— Exit Satanella — vampyre closes. 

Muddle. I — I — I never was much of a shot. You try ! 

Laur. No, I can only draw the long bow. Ask the As- 
tronomer ? 



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35 

AsTRON. No : {theodolite) but I'll sight her for you ! 

Qmsiness — Muddle ^Zaces himself opposite entrance^ R., and 
Laureate and Astronomer tail on — he shoots — shfieh 
off, and they all stagger hack) 

Enter Leo, quichly, 

Leo. What means that cry ? 

Chord — Snow-Flake appears in vampyre L. c. in cloth — 

lime-light. 

Snow. It means that you must seek Lotos-leaf, not here — 
but in the stars. These miscreant minions of your foe Plutus, 
have, by a fatal arrow, changed her form, though they could 
not take her life. 

Leo. Wretches ! Murderers ! {they go on their knees) 

The Three. Pity ! Mercy ! Quarter ! 

Leo. {threatening them with sword) What mercy did you 
shew to her ? You shall die ! 

Snow. No ; for their life shall be a punishment to them, and 
of service to you. I know that Lotos-Leaf's new home is in 
the stars, but which, I know not. Theirs be the task to find 
out where. W^hen men are asleep, be theirs the punishment 
to read the glittering hieroglyphs of heaven, and to discover 
there the home of Lotos-Leaf. 

The Three, {groaning) Oh— oh ! 

Snow. As for you, Prince, be not cast down. The power of 
your foes is drawing to an end. Earth refuses to aid them 
'^ longer, and now the exile of your love to a distant planet is 
the last transmigration possible. Love can scale the 
empyrean ; and I say to you, fear not, but love on, purely and 
fondly, and Lotos-Leaf shall be restored to you. Meanwhile, 
you are yet in peril. The Eagle Emperor must know nought 
of this, or your life might be the forfeit. Be wary — dress 
your face in smiles — share in the revelries of the birds, then 
away once more ! on the starry trail of your lost love. 
Farewell ! 

Exit Snowflake — vampyre closes — Leo maJces a step towards 
her, as if to retain her — the Ministers rise — lights up. 

Leo. One moment 

Music. — Re-enter R. and L., Bird-Guards, Huberlu and 
Pages, Fidelio, Gobo, Robin and Wren, Eagle, &c., — 
Picture for finale. 

Eagle, {to Leo) Where is my Dove — is the charm removed ? 

Leo. Almost, your majesty.' She has gone to her nest, 
where she must remain undisturbed for two days — at the end 
of that time you will have a surprise. 

Eagle, {shaking him by hand) Now this is kind ! 



y 



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36 

Electra rises behind Huberlu by trap. 

Elect, (asi^g ^o Huberlu) Where is Lotos-Leaf ? 

HuBER. {aside to him) Dead ? 

Elect. Nothing of the kind. She is translated. 

HuBER. Whither? 

Elect. To Venus. 

HuBER. Well? 

Elect. Follow her ! 

Eagle. And now, noble friends, I invite you to a dance, or 
should I say a hop ? We plume ourselves upon our accomplish- 
ments that way ; and, I flatter myself, you will not regret 
having come to see the Emperor Eagle at his Birdcage Palace. 

Omnes. {claiyping hands) Bravo ! 



[TAKE IN No. 22] 

Exeunt Omnes, and change. 



Scene Fourth. — Exterior of Birdcage Palace, Flats set 
immediately behind last scene. 

COMMENCEMENT OF GRAND PLUMED BALLET. 



- V Scene Fifth. — Set of all. 

THE VOLATILE COURT AND ITS PLUMED 

THRONG. 

GRAND BALLET. 



END OF THE SECOND ACT. 



\ 



©8arartet« in STj^irO ^rt 



••• •«• ••• ••• 



••• ••• 



••• ••« 



>• ••• 



VENUS ... 
ELECTRA ... 

SATANELLA 

PRINCE LEO 

THE ASTRONOMER-ROYAL 

THE POET LAUREATE 

THE HEREDITARY GRAND MUDDLE 

PRINCESS LOTOS-LEAF {as a Star) ... 

HUBERLU (as High Priest of Venus) ... 

BABETTE & SISTERS {as Neophytes) ... 

GOBO 

FIDELIO 

SNOWFLAKE 



>• ••• 



«•« ... .•• 



)• «•• «*• ..< 



The Signs of the Zodiac. Star Visitors of Venus. Characters in the 

AND 

PABIIS YX T£ARS. 



ACT III. 

Scene First. — Horizon and transparency cloths in 1st; the 
Observatory Terrace by Moonlight , lights down ; white lime 
light on stage ; one brilliant star c. of cloth thrown by lantern 
on slides from behind. 

Discovered the Astronomer-Royal, manipulating an astrO' 
nomical telescope on tripod ^ R.c. ; Laureate at wing, r., 
and Muddle at wing, l., with small bills in hand ; the three 
wear their former dresses, but now in tatters and patches; 
Muddle is now quite bald, and the Laureate has on a full 
wig. Music, " Beautiful Star,''^ to open scene, 

Laur. and Muddle. Walk up, walk up ! Be in time for 
the transit of Venus. Only ten cents to observe the sidereal 
phenomenon through the large patent refracting instrument, 
under the direction of Professor Telescopernicus. Walk up, 
walk! (pause) 

Laur. (disgusted, coming R. c.) Not a soul ! 

Muddle, (coming l. c.) Not a customer ! 

AsTRON. Satanella has given us up ; Prince Leo has stopped 
our salaries — and here we are, star-gazing after Lotos-Leaf 

Laur. Whom we can't find. I have composed a trifle on 
that, (clears voice) 

Forgive, blest shade, the tributary tear 
That mourns thy exit from a world like this. 
Forgive 

The Others, (desperately) No more — no more ! Give us 
poverty and despair, but not that. 

Laur. O, very well. You do so much better, the pair of 
you. (suddenly) Hist ! passengers ! look out. (skips to vnng, L.) 

The Others. Ha! (Muddle rw/zs ^^<;^/?^, r.) 

AsTRON. Now then, be in time ! Walk up. See the transit 
of Venus, as she approaches the earth. This is the only 
genuine telescope, supported by a vote of Congress. Walk 
up, walk up. 

Muddle, (to Astronomer — excitedly) Stop ! 

AsTRON. Why, who is it then? 

(Muddle and Laureate come r. and l. c. respectively) 



39 

Muddle. Tis the prince ! 

The Three, {groaning) Oh! Oh! {they huddle behind 
telescope). 

Enter Leo, Gobo, and Fidelio, r., in rich tourist dresses. 

Leo. Trusty followers — here on this dizzy height, let lis 
again read the heavens, and seek tidings of Lotos-Leaf. 

Gobo. Read the heavens ? Oh, oh ! I dont like this kind of 
literature ; besides, we have been reading the heavens to 
very little purpose. We've got through a few hundred stars, 
it's true, but there are still some two or three hundred thou- 
sand millions more. Don't think of it, master ! 

Leo. Scoffer! 

Gobo. (sighing) Babette ! She's not a star, anyhow ; not 
her line of business. 

Fidel. Ah! prince, would your love were not so deep, for 
much I fear you will never see Lotos-Leaf again. 

Leo. {rapturously) Never! 0, yes — yes, darling, fear not ; 
when we parted, the words of love and not farewell, were on 
our lips, and a spirit will yet lead me to thee. 

[TAKE IN No. 23.] 

{the three Ministers emerge after song) 

Laur. and Muddle. Walk up, walk up— the great teles- 
cope — observe the transit of Venus. 

AsTRON. Ten cents only, or the lot a quarter. Walk up ! 
Gobo. Oh, what a rare ragged set. 
Leo. Poor fellows, let us give them a turn. 
AsTRON. {adjusting telescope) This way, sir — place one eye 
to the orifice and close up the other, and you will see what 
you shall see. 

(Fidelio gives money to Laureate — Gobo looks at his 
wig and then ai Muddle sicspiciouslyj but can maJce 
nothing of it) 
Leo, Why, what is this ? 

{Music— the symphony of next number pp, in orchestra, 
and continued till change of scene) 
Omnes. What ? (All close round him and look up) 

Snowflake appears R., between wing and cloth, white lime light 
on her ; she smiles and loaves wand ; during next speech the 
star grows larger until it occupies entire cloth. 

Leo. Amazement ! The silver shield opens —it is a vast 
palace— methinks I see moving multitudes, no bigger than 



7 



\ 40 

jihining atoms — Ha! — yes— it comes nearer and nearer— the 
figures grow larger. Oh, wonder ! Venus approaches our dark 
earth. 

GoBO. The deuce it does ! I'm off. 

AsTRON. A collision ! let me save my glasses. 

Omxes. Ah ! {business — GoBO drags Leo, l., assisted hy 

FiDELlO) 

Fidel. Away, prince, away ! 

Leo. No, no, she may be there. 

GoBO. Come ! They exeunt, L. 

Laur. Oh. dear, oh, dear! 

Muddle. The end of the world ! 

AsTRON. At all events I'll save my glasses, {folds them up) 

Laur. Stay ! a thought. 

The Others. What? 

Laur. I have just composed a little thing 

Beautiful star, in heaven so bright, 
Softly shines 

The Others. Come on. 

Exeunt, r. — they drag him off expostulating . 

Enter Snowflake immediately, c. of stage, clouds down, lime- 
light on her always. 

Snow. No end of earth, fond prince ; no approximation of 
distant stars — for lo ! earth fades away, and you are lifted 
^ . high to the arms of Lotos-Leaf. 

Retires backwards and slowly off, R., waving wand — 
change proceeds rapidly, and discovers 

Scene Second. — The Heart of a Star; Venus in transit; set; 

lights up. 

Signs of the Zodiac, Evening, Morning and other Stars 
discovered in two lines up stage. Chorus to open scene. 

[TAKE IN No. 24.] 

Enter, L. u. e., Huberlu, as High Priest of Venus, folhiced 
by Babette and Sisters as Neophytes; they enter singing 
and range across stage in straight line, Huberlu, C. ; im- 
mediately the Stars and Signs form large semicircle behind 
them ; chorus over. 

Huber. Good! I see you have kept your rendezvous. 
Signs of the changing Zodiac— stars that bring in the night, 
and herald the morn — bright sentinels that watch every outlet 
and avenue of the skies— I thank you for this proof of your 



41 

fidelity to Plutus, for here, as elsewhere, the dominion of 
Mammon extends. And ye, brother and sister subjects, ye 
are faithful still? 

Omnes. All! 

HuBER. 'Tis well. You know why I have called you 
together to-day in my character of High Priest of Venus. 
Not to sacrifice at the shrine of the Goddess of Beauty, but 
to satisfy the forebodings of Satanella, who believes that 
Prince Leo, abetted by Snowflake, is daring enough to scale 
the walls of heaven itself. 

Omnes, {laughing) Ha, ha! 

HuBER, Absurd. But still our loyalty to Satanella demands 
this caution. Let the chief neophyte caU the reports. 
{flourish in orchestra) 

Babet. {with scroll in hand) Polar Star, what have you 
seen? 

1st Star. One grizly and two wrecks. No Leo. 

Babet. Guiding Star, has any one sought thy aid ? 

2nd Star. No ; mortals prefer to walk by their own light. 
I have seen none. No Leo. 

Babet. Morning Star ? 

3rd Star. No Leo. 

Babet. Evening ditto ? 

4th Star. No Leo. 

Babet. Grand Priest of Venus, the sentinels of the skies 
make answer that no stranger approaches from the planet 
called Earth. 

Omnes. None! 

Huber. 'Tis well. Lotos-Leaf will become fixed as a star, 
and so disturb not the reign of our master. {Music) Lo ! she 
comes with Venus, {picture to receive Venus) 

Enter two Cupids, hearing how and arrows as avant-courierSy 
L. u. e.— Venus, leading Lotos-Leaf, and followed hy two 
Cupid Pages, young girls. 

Omnes. Hail, oh Goddess of Beauty. 

Venus, {meirily) High priest, I must really ask you to 
speak to our new star here. There are great complaints 
amongst the heavenly bodies this morning about her. It seems 
that instead of quietly remaining in her orbit like a well-con- 
ducted young star, she is always rushing off a few miUion 
miles into space, with a view it is supposed of getting near 
that trumpery planet called the Earth. Ridiculous I 

Huber. Quite so. 

Venus. Of all dull, stupid, prosaic planets, that insignificant 
Earth is the worst. 



42 

Babet. decidedly. 

Omnes. Certainly. 

Venus. Therefore, sister star, you must be talked to, and 
broken of this bad habit, which done, I think you will be a 
credit to our system. By the way, whilst I am on the subject 
let me ask you to look a little more cheerful. A blinking 
discontented, sputtering star is not pretty by any means. 

Lotos. Ah ! Venus, how can 1 look happy? 

Venus. Follow my example. Love and youth are the 
elements of all happiness. 

Lotos. And my love is in a far distant sphere. 

Venus. There she goes again ! Do speak to her, Pontiflf. 

Huber. My daughter, why are you so sad ? 

Lotos. Well, if you will have it, I don't like being a star. 
There. 

Omnes. (horrified) There! there I 

Huber. This is heresy. 

Lotos. I don't care if it is. The life of a star is about the 
most stupid out. Instead of getting to bed, you have to stick 
in the cold like a street lamp, and come shivering home in 
the morning. It is simply disgusting. 

Venus. You are a nice star, upon my word I 

Lotos. But, dear Venus, I have told you that I am not 
one. 

Venus. Ah! still that fable. 

Lotos. It is no fable. I am an inhabitant of the Earth, 
and I love, oh, how dearly ! one who dwells there. 

Huber. Even were this true, you must forget him — you 
are separated for ever. 

Lotos. Oh, for pity's sake, don't say that ! 

{rolling thunder , soft — tremolo in orchestra — lights begin to 
he gradually turned down, until the stage is quite dark, 
to pointy afterwards marhed) 

Venus. Ha ! what is that ? 

Huber. Some of the constellations changing places. 

Venus. I wish they wouldn't. Star showers are coming a 
great deal too much into fashion again. But see ! it is 
darkening. 

Omnes. So it is ! 

Babet. (r. u. e., looMngoff) Strange! the Earth is approach- 
ing rapidly. 

Venus. An eclipse ! 

Babet. Yes, we are now in its shadow. 

Omnes. Ah ! 

Venus. What! our kingdom threatened. To me, my 
friends to me ! 



43 

HuBER. (aside) This is still the Power of Love ! 

(stage dark— tremolo increases to jf, — rolling thunder — fhe 
Stars crouch in circle ro?^/^c? Venus, who stands erect^ c, 
with Lotos-Leaf — light on them, T^e Neophytes /orw 
second ring in front of Venus, bending out with out- 
stretched arms —the Signs of the Zodiac kneeling in a 
third circle as if defying foe. This picture exceedingly quick. 
As soon as it is formed, the thunder stops suddenly, the 
tremolo stoics, and the orchestra play, pp., the phrase of 
the Duett of First Act, *' / love thee, ah, I love thee,'"^ 
which Leo sings oj^— Lotos-Leaf listens intently, and 
joins in the ensemble — Snowflake comes on at back, and 
waves her wand. — on the last note of ensemble, Leo 
rushes on suddenly, R. 2 E. — lights on quick — he embraces 
Lotos-Leaf, and remains in that position, v)hilst Stars, 
Neophytes, &c., form fresh picture round stage) 

Enter FiDEUO, GoBO, andtheTuREE Ministers, e.— chords, 
ff, and Music stops, 

Venus. What has happened ? (Snowflake comes down, c.)* 

Sxow. Let an old friend answer. 

Venus. Ah, Snowflake ! 

Snow. Yes, goddess, in the dark planet that has just passed 
by your palace of light, it is not enough that your gifts of 
love and beauty should be given to mortals — there are thousand 
foes to guard even the innocent against, and to that task I 
have devoted myself. 

Venus. Then these are lovers ? 

Leo. 0, goddess, none ever worshipped more fervently at 
thy shrine. 

Venus. Then must I protect my votaries. Be happy. 

Lotos. Kind Venus ! (they go up) 

HuBER. (aside) Confusion ! Once more foiled. 

GoBO. There's a star over there winking at me. (business 
with Babette) Yes— no— yes — why — (crosses) I say, Bab 

Babet. Sir! 

GoBO. I beg your pardon, (business) Let me reflect. 

AsTRON. My telescope has done it. 

Muddle. No ; my diplomacy. 



* Ministers. 


Babette. 




GoBO. 




Sisters. 


FlDELIO. 




Huberlu. 


Snowflake. Leo. 


Lotos -Leap, 


Venus. 


E. 




L. 



44 

Laur. What a chance for a poem. Like this — {clears voice) 

Twinkle, twinkle little star, 
How I wonder what you are, 
Up above the world so high 

Shall I continue ? 

Omnes. No, no I {he is crushed— the others come down in line 
for finale) 

Venus. Then let us celebrate what is dearest to me — the 
union of two faithful hearts. Nectar there — green seal. 

{the four Cupids who have been off^ give quickly cups to 
Principals) 



[TAKE IN No. 25.1 



Scene Second. — Cloth in \st; the Boudoir of Venus; lightB 

full up. 

Enter Huberlu and Neophytes. 

HuBER. This is a pleasant arrival for us, girls. 

Babet. Well, papa, if you must know what I think, allow 
me to observe that Snowflake is too many for us. 

The Others. Evidently. 

Babet. And that the sooner we return home the better. 
{aside) Fact is, the sight of Gobo has been too much for me t 

HuBER. {in despair) What is to be done? — What is to be 
done? 

Trap Music — enter hy trap^ c, Electra, to take up cue imme- 
diately, 

Electra. Kesign! 

Omnes. Ah! 

Electra. Yes — Plutus has just sent me up to say that 
your talents will grace retirement better than his active 
service. 

HuBER. Despair ! 

Babet. {aside) Kapture! 

HuBER. Then the pursuit of Leo and Lotos-Leaf is abandoned? 

Electra. That I know not. What is certain is, that you 
will not be in at the death. 

HuBER. Can Satanella find better servants ? 

Electra. Ask her ? 



45 

Enter Satanella, l. 

Satanel. And she replies — yes. {all salaam humbly) You 
think me defeated ? No ; but I own that I under-rated the 
power opposed to me. Had I not done so, I should scarcely 
have chosen tools like you. Meanwhile, like a desperate 
general, who, to retrieve the failing fortunes of a fight, urges 
his steed into the front of battle, so do I —and mark me, I 
shall win. 

Babet. Hist I Here comes Venus and her guests ! 

Satanel. Now for stratagem. 

Phrase of Chorus of last scene. Enter Venus, Lotos-Leaf, 
Ministers, Fidelio, Gobo, Stars, and Signs of Zodiac, 
R., — picture. 

Lotos, {starting) Ha ! 

Omnes. What? 

Lotos. The Evil Spirit ! {clinging to Leo) 

Venus. Who, sister ? 

Lotos. Satanella! 

Omnes. Ah! 

Leo. Back, fiend, thou shall not bewitch her ! 

Venus, {proudly) Power of mischance! and thou hast dared 
to wage thy iniquitous warfare, even on my threshold ? 

Satanel. {assuming humble air) No, great Venus, not in 
arms I come, but suppliant. Hear me. Prince ! Hear that 
penitence can attain to such a heart as mine. 

Leo. Strange! 

HuBER. {aside) Can such things be ? 

Satanel. Then, behold in me, henceforth, a friend — or if 
that position be denied me, a defeated foe who can bow her 
head before beauty and virtue I 

Venus. Can we believe this change ? 

(Satanella has meanwhile motioned rapidly to the three 
Ministers) 

Muddle. It appears to me genuine. 

AsTRON. Fallen stars are not less stars, and may resume 
their orbit. 

Laur. As I once remarked on a similar occasion {clearing 
voice) 

To err is human, to forgive, divine, 
And SO, dear friends 

Omnes. No— no! 

Laur. {disgusted) Ohl of course not! 

Leo. I do accept thy penitence, Satanella. 

Lotos. And I — I forgive thee all the ill thou hast done. 

Omnes. Bravo ! 



46 

Satanel. Let me now give an earnest of what I have pro- 
mised. First let me expose the toils that still cling around 
you. Let me unmask the wicked Huberlu where he stands. 
{pointing to Huberlu) 

Omnes. Ha! 

HuBER. Traitress! 

Satanel. {smiling) Fool ! Return to thy ravine in Brittany. 

GoBO. Brittany! Huberlu? 

Satanel. And you, Neophytes, take again thy shapes as 
his daughters. 

GoBO. Daughters ! {looldng at Babette) 

Babet. Oh, I'm so glad, Gobo. 

GoBO. Babette ! {they embrace) 

Venus, {to Huberlu) Quit my sphere this day— ignoble 
sorcerer — never to return. 

HuBER. {aside) This is to serve a fiend ! 

Satanel. One proof more of my friendship : when again 
you return to earth a happy pair, let Satanella offer you a 
marriage gift. She places at your disposal, for your wedding 
tour, all that is brightest and loveliest below; a spot conse- 
crated to love and pleasure — where nought exists that hath 
affinity to sorrow. 

Lotos. O, where is that spot ? 

Satanel. It is called by mortals, Paris. 

Omnes. Paris! 

Venus. And yet methinks I have heard from my votaries 
in that distant sphere, that a song of joy has there ended in 
a burden of sorrow. 

Satanel. Calumny, great Venus — calumny ! But I will be 
honest to the uttermost. Would you, as in a magic mirror 
gaze upon this Paris ? 

Omnes. Yes— yes! 

Satanel. Then you shall. 
Music in orchestra to discover Fete Scene at St, Cloud — she 
waves wand— the Crowd separates into entrances— the 
cloth goes and discovers 

Scene Fourth.— ST. CLOUD EN FETE ; variety business, 
PARIS IN SMILES, closed in by 

Scene Fifth. — Repeat Scene 3rd. 

Ee-enter all the Personages who were on at the end of Scene 
3rd; same picture ; Satanella, c. 

Satanel. Well, said I not right. Is not Paris the chosen 
home of pleasure and of love ? 
Leo. Good spirit, Paris for me. 



47 

Lotos. And for me. 

Omnes. And for all of us ! 

Venus. I confess I had no idea that my own ideas were so 
thoroughly carried out in that dim and distant planet. 

Satanel. Then, Prince, you accept my offer ? 

Leo. 0, with rapture ! 

Satanel. {aside, with fiendish glee) Then all is not lost ! 
(aloud) En route, then, dear friends, and let us bid farewell 
to our hostess, great Venus ! 

Enter Snowflake, r. 

Snow. One moment ! 

Lotos. Our good spirit ! 

Satanel. (aside) Confusion — she again! 

Snow. Dear Venus, and you my stupid young prot^g^s, I 
really find I have to act as a sort of guardian to goddesses 
and mortals alike. You don't mean to say that you believe 
what you have just seen? 

Venus. Why, Snowflake, we have eyes ! 

Leo. Yes, and we have seen a reality, have we not ? 

Satanel. Certainly. 

Snow. No —you have not. 

Satanel. 1 defy you to the proof ! 

Snow. Ah, my ancient enemy, this new stratagem like the 
others, will fail, for by my power, I will show the reverse of 
the medal — the dark side of the picture you have so cunningly 
pourtrayed. (to Leo) When I have done so, say then whether 
Paris is the place you would take your bride to. You have 
seen Paris in smiles — be it mine to show you Paris in tears ! 
(waving wand) Behold ! 

(Music in orchestra — the characters bach into entrances^ R. 
and L., as before — the cloth goes — discovering 

Scene Sixth.—PARIS IN TEARS ! Panarajna of the City 
under the Commune, 



END OF THE THIBD ACT. 



48 



ACT IV. 

Scene First. — Dark Clouds in 1st. A Cloud Corridor in the 

Halls of Venits. 

Discovered^ Venus and her Cupid Pages; Huberlu and 
Daughters in 1st costumes; Prince and FumcEss in 2nd 
ditto; GoBO in 2nd ditto ; Fidelio in 1st ditto; Ministers 
in 1st ditto; Electra, King and Queen Jewel in Ist dittoy 
and a selection of other Characters to dress stage. No 
dialogue* They sing next concerted piece. 



[TAKE IN No. 26.] 
Then divide Characters, and pass to 

Scene Second-gRAND TRANSFORMATION SCENE ! 



atuxtmxu 



Printed by Thomas Scott, 1, Wartrick Court, Holbofii. 



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